30 Recipe Ideas For Your 1970s Dinner Party
How to Throw an Authentic Retro Party 1970s Style!
An Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide to Hosting a Groovy Night of Fondue, Jell-O, and Early '70s Vibes you’ll want to make.
From groovy appetizers and molded salads to ready-to-play playlists and vintage serving ideas, this guide will help you throw a retro party that feels like stepping into 1976 (without the polyester overload)
If you're like me and love the music, mood, and playful spirit of the early '70s (without diving headfirst into disco), this guide is your retro-friendly way to entertain with ease and charm.
Blog Index
Keep It Crowd Friendly
Early 1970s Decor & Atmosphere
The Perfect 1970s Party Menu
What to Wear, Music and Mood
Retro 70’s Party Shopping
Closing Words - What’s on the Table?
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Keep It Crowd Friendly
When it comes to throwing a 1970s-style dinner party, easy entertaining is the name of the game.
Go for dishes that can be made ahead and served cold or warm like molded Jell-O salads, deviled eggs, slow-cooker meatballs, or a classic cheese ball surrounded by crackers.
Most party foods from this era were meant to be prepped in advance, so the host could relax and mingle in style.
Use Vintage Serving Dishes
This is your excuse to break out:
A mix of textures and colors will give your table that true “help yourself” retro look
Balance the Savory & Sweet
Include a mix of flavors:
Savory: deviled eggs, cheese ball, cocktail meatballs
Sweet: molded Jell-O, chocolate fondue, Watergate salad
Label the Dishes
Use little tent cards or toothpick flags to label what’s in each dish especially if you’re serving anything "surprising" like tomato aspic
✨ 1970s Decor & Atmosphere
From lava lamps to fondue pots, setting the scene is half the fun!
Start with the classics:
Fondue forks (the wooden-handled ones are pure vintage flair!)
Layer in bold patterns think floral, geometric, or avocado and orange color combos and don’t forget the mood lighting.
A lava lamp in the corner or flickering candles in amber holders can add just the right nostalgic glow.
Top it all off with a few quirky accent’s retro salt-and-pepper shakers, or a stack of old magazines on the coffee table.
Whether you're going full sit-down dinner or keeping it backyard casual, a little retro flair goes a long way.
The Perfect 1970’s Party Menu
Start with a round of crowd-pleasing bites that set the tone for a groovy night.
🍢 Appetizers & Nibbles
Rolled cold cuts with pickle spears or asparagus - pictured below
Hot Cheese Puffs - recipe below
Assorted crackers, chips and Lipton’s French onion dip
Fruit tray
Bread cubes and sliced veggies (for dipping)
🫕 Main Course Fondue Favorites
🥗 Molded Salads & Retro Sides
Carrot and orange gelatin salad (optional add: with crushed pineapple or mayo)
Molded Jell-O in assorted colors (lime, orange, strawberry)
Tomato-stuffed with cottage cheese or tuna salad - recipe below
🍰 Sweet Finishes
Plate of chocolate eclairs or maple bars with cookies in between, like shortbread or animal cookies — pictured below.
Mini hand pies or retro whipped cream "fluff" desserts
Drinks:
Sun Tea
Strawberry Boone’s Farm (or any cheap red wine) Fruit Punch
Bloody Mary Cocktails
What to Wear, Music and Mood
Think authentic vintage ‘70s style flared pants, ruffled shirts, and maybe a polyester jumpsuit if you're feeling bold!
Set the tone with tunes straight from the AM dial The Partridge Family, ABBA, and don’t forget a bottle of Boone’s Farm or two for that perfect 70s mood.
👖✨ Think high waisted denim, bold prints, tied tops, and lots of personality!
Early 1970s Dinner Party Playlist (1970–1976)
🎧 Soft Rock & AM Gold
Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl) – Looking Glass (1972)
Guitar Man – America (1975)
I’d Really Love to See You Tonight – England Dan & John Ford Coley (1976)
Ventura Highway – America (1972)
Summer Breeze – Seals & Crofts (1972)
🎤 Pop & Feel-Good Hits
6. Crocodile Rock – Elton John (1972)
7. Dancing in the Moonlight – King Harvest (1972)
8. ABC – The Jackson 5 (1970)
9. Knock Three Times – Tony Orlando & Dawn (1970)
10. Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) – Edison Lighthouse (1970)
Available on Amazon: Boho Bowls Set of 4, 20 oz Ceramic Soup Bowls with Handles, 6 inch Bohemia Soup Crocks, Colorful Cute Cream Soup Bowls for Chili, Beef.
Closing Words
What’s on the Table?
Here’s a closer look at the dishes featured in this classic 1970s dinner party spread!
I’ve labeled each item so you can match the recipes below to the vintage look you're going for.
From glowing green Jell-O to shrimp cocktail in footed glassware, this setup is all about color, texture, and nostalgic charm.
🧡 Save or pin this image for inspiration as you build your own retro buffet - Shelly
Full List From The Photo:
Cheese ball – rolled in nuts and served on kale (dead giveaway of a party classic!)
Shrimp cocktail – in a footed glass (so very retro luxe)
Deviled eggs – nestled near asparagus (classic!)
Rolled cold cuts – likely ham or turkey (party platter staples)
Asparagus spears – part of the cold cut tray
Crackers and bread cubes – for fondue dipping
Mini pickles/cornichons – served in a copper cup
Green Jell-O mold with pineapple rings and cherries – I blogged about this!
Orange Jell-O mold with shredded carrots – classic mid-century carrot salad mold
Savory molded seafood salad – surrounded by peas, lemons, and shrimp
Tomato-stuffed salad – looks like whole tomatoes filled with tuna or cottage cheese, on a bed of greens
Tiny Jell-O molds – individual molds (green, orange) on a glass tray – possibly lime and apricot
Ready to host your own retro feast?
From shrimp cocktail to cheese balls and Boones Farm punch, you’ve got everything you need to serve up a night of vintage charm with zero aspic pressure.
And hey if you recreate one of these dishes, tag me @VintageByTheBite so I can raise a fondue fork in your honor!
Credits:
Carrots and Orange Gelatin Salad - Simply Recipes
Deviled Eggs - Spend with Pennies
Classic Shrimp Cocktail - The Kitchen Magpie
Stuffed Tomato’s - Vintage By The Bite
